Obituary of Bernice M Rivers

Bernice Rivers, 89 of West Thompson, died July 18, 2012 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Henry Rivers, Sr. She was born in Westerly, RI, January 7, 1923, daughter of the late William and Bernice (Boothman) O'Keefe. She leaves 5 sons and 3 daughters: David Rivers of Vernon, CT; Colonel (Ret) John Rivers of Smithfield, VA; Richard Rivers of Scotland, CT; Henry Rivers, Jr. of N. Grosvenordale, CT; William Rivers of Mansfield, CT; Susan Wyman of Dracula, GA; Carol Moore of Windsor, CT; Mary Lambert of Putnam; 20 beloved grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She also leaves her sister Gertrude Leite of Grosvenordale, CT and brother William O'Keefe of Thompson, CT, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother John O'Keefe. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in West Thompson and St. Joseph Parish in North Grosvenordale. She served with the Parish Ladies Auxiliary and the Council of Catholic Women of Sacred Heart. She was a member of the West Thompson Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Thompson Senior Citizens Organization. Bernice worked for many years with the Thompson Public Schools. A Calling Hour will be Monday, July 23, 2012 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM is St. Joseph Church, 12 Main Street, North Grosvenordale, CT. Burial in West Thompson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern CT, 320 Pomfret Street, Putnam, CT 06260. To share a memory with her family, "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com